LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The West Alabama Tigers (9-7, 4-2 GSC) return home to Tartt Field for a Gulf South Conference series against the Christian Brothers Buccaneers. The three-game series begins on Friday, February 28, at 5 p.m., followed by a doubleheader on Saturday, March 1, starting at 1 p.m.
West Alabama has won four of its first six conference games and looks to continue its strong start.
Blake Vineyard leads the offense with a .380 batting average, three home runs, and 14 RBIs.
Eli Burwash (.365 AVG, 1.030 OPS) and
Joe Watkins (.302 AVG, 1.052 OPS) have also been key contributors at the plate.
On the mound,
Maxwell Schumacher has posted a 1.06 ERA over 17 innings, while
Judah Buckner has yet to allow a hit or run in 5.1 innings of relief.
Jack Hoppenjans (1.86 ERA) and
Cade Miller (2.25 ERA) provide additional depth in the bullpen.
Defensively, the Tigers have been solid, with
Bryce Newman (60 chances) and
Ryan Fletcher (40 chances) both maintaining perfect fielding percentages. Fletcher has also been effective behind the plate, throwing out seven attempted base stealers.
CBU enters the matchup hitting .276 as a team, with Sam Walker (.432 AVG, 6 doubles, 5 RBIs) and Jalen Smith (.370 AVG, 3 HRs, 15 RBIs) leading the offense. Cory Steinhauer (.333 AVG, 12 RBIs) has also been a key contributor. The Bucs have shown some ability on the base-paths, successfully swiping 26 of 28 stolen base attempts.
On the mound, Christian Brothers has struggled, posting a team ERA of 10.01. A.J. Gamboa (1-2, 5.29 ERA, 17 Ks) and Cameron Olivo (2-1, 5.82 ERA) have been their most reliable starters. However, control issues have plagued the staff, allowing 80 walks in 107 innings.
First pitch on Friday is set for 5 p.m., with the Saturday doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at Tartt Field.
